The Prince’s Runaway Bride - Chapter 322

Vaughn got up and was about to go to the changing area when Zenia called out to him.

“Wait! Don’t tell me you’re going to interrogate Azer now? At least ask Redivo first about the things that you need to know, like how he had treated the prisoner all this time.”

Vaughn stopped and nodded his head, “You’re right, I will ask Redivo first.”

He still trod the path leading to the changing area. Zenia shook her head and got up to follow Vaughn.

“It’s already late and Redivo must be tired already. You too are tired already. Come back to bed and let’s sleep. Tomorrow, I will accompany you to the dungeon.”

Zenia held Vaughn’s hand and dragged him back to their bed. Vaughn was acting a bit off. Zenia realized that the pressure could’ve been too much for him to handle lately. After all, they had no idea what was going on in the mind of the Dark Magic Lord.

Zenia tucked Vaughn to bed and kissed him.

“Zenzen, will everything be all right? I’m afraid that we might get separated if a war really breaks out.”

Zenia lied down next to Vaughn and hugged him tightly.

“We won’t separate.”

“What if it’s inevitable?”

Zenia thought for a while and tried to look for an answer that would put Vaughn’s mind at ease.

“If it’s inevitable, it will be for a short while. I will make sure that I will come looking for you, and you only need to stay put. Don’t go anywhere because I will come and find you.”

“But, I’m always the one who finds you.”

“Then, this time let me be the one to find you.”

Vaughn smiled, “Okay.”

He closed his eyes and fell asleep almost instantly. Zenia stroked his hair and a heavy feeling enveloped her. She wished she could just sweep the Dark Magic faction instantly and sit Jorick on the throne of Prazia as the rightful heir. She wished she had so much power that everything would turn out fine when she snapped her fingers.

Tomorrow would be a new day, and she was looking forward to the things that tomorrow might bring. She hoped that everything would be okay.

* * * * *

When Zenia woke up the following morning, Vaughn was no longer by her side. Rosalie informed her quickly that the Crown Prince instructed them not to wake her up. All the maids were blushing and some of them were even giggling. She knew that Vaughn said something that her maids misunderstood. She had a good guess that the maids thought that they spent a wild night together.

She stood up and went to her dresser and that was when she realized that her hair was a mess, and her nightdress was in disarray. She looked more closely and saw some love bites on her neck and clavicle.

She held her cheeks and felt that they were hot. She blushed so hard that it did not escape her maids’ eyes. Just what did he do while she was sleeping? How come she did not feel anything at all?

Zenia suddenly gasped when she recalled a bit of something that happened last night. There was a bug that kept bothering her and even slapped it. She was too tired and sleepy to care and just let it bit her. It wasn’t painful anyway.

‘Wait… Don’t tell me it was not actually a bug?’

She pulled down her nightdress to expose her shoulders and saw more love bites. Rosalie dismissed the maids and told them to bring in the Crown Princess’ breakfast. Zenia looked further and saw a pair of love bites on her b.r.e.a.s.ts.

Her face turned redder not because she was blushing but because she just exploded.

“VAUGHN!!”

That sharp shrill reached the ears of Vaughn, who was already discussing something with the same group of people that he met the day before. He grinned and knew that his wife had already seen his masterpiece. He was so proud of that work that he wished he could preserve it forever.

‘Hmm, I’ll just do it again when it begins to fade.’

Everyone was puzzled when they saw the expression on Vaughn’s face.

“Your Highness, I think I heard the Crown Princess called your name. Aren’t you going to check on her?”

Jorick was a bit worried and wanted to know why Zenia had shouted.

“Don’t mind her. She’s just thrilled to see the gifts that I prepared for her.”

Jorick became more puzzled. Zenia’s tone was not of someone happy to receive some gifts. He felt that it was best to shut up and concentrate on the meeting. If Vaughn’s hunch was correct, a war would break out anytime soon. He must consult with Roy and Richaem again to help him improve his ability.

Redivo had suspected Vaughn of doing something unscrupulous when he saw The Crown Prince smiling without any reason so early in the morning. He looked very different from someone who would turn the whole world apart last time when he learned that Zenia had not yet returned.

“Your Highness, are we going to discuss what to do with Azer now?”

Vaughn nodded his head, and the meeting was adjourned. Jorick was confused and surprised that the meeting had ended much earlier than usual. Not that he was complaining, it was actually a good thing that they ended early. He could start his training earlier than he planned.

Duke Gordon was not in the meeting, but he sent a message that there were important family matters that he and his father should discuss. It was about making a formal announcement regarding the next head of the Duchy of Milford. Duke Gordon already inherited the title and should be recognized as the next head, but the other men in the Old Duke’s family were protesting. They claimed that Duke Gordon was still an inexperienced young man that should enjoy his youth for a few more years.

Vaughn smirked when he read the letter. Duke Gordon did not ask for help, but Vaughn could tell that the Young Duke was hoping he could extend some help if the situation suddenly called for a higher authority’s intervention. No one in Duke Gordon’s family knew that he was a good friend of the Crown Prince and Princess of Tissuria.

“What kind of torture did you use on him?”

“Torture? I did not implement anything because I was too busy to decide on one. I just told the people to treat him fairly and serve him meals. I even told someone to bring him something to read to keep him occupied so he won’t do anything stupid.”

Vaughn could not believe the things that Redivo just told him. All this time, Azer was having the time of his life. He had been eating normal foods that were usually served in the palace. The dishes were prepared by one of the best cooks in Tissuria.

“Have you interrogated him?”

“No. I thought you want to do that, but you went somewhere with your wife instead. I have been busy that I simply did not have the time to do that.”

“How about Ruvin? He should’ve asked Azer.”

“I’m not sure where Ruvin is right now. I heard Young Master Zekiah went back to Ishelon, but I’m not sure if Ruvin went with him.”

Vaughn massaged his forehead and felt like a big headache was coming. Vaughn called for the steward and gave an instruction.

“Tell the Crown Princess to get ready, and we will go visit Azer.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Vaughn did not ask anymore and just waited for Zenia to come. He did not reprimand or punish Redivo. He sat there and began imagining what Zenia would wear. Knowing her, she would definitely wear something that could help her conceal the marks he left.

He was already lenient by just leaving her with his marks and not doing anything to her last night. It was Zenia who pressed her bosoms against his body and turned up the heat. He pushed her away gently when he saw that she was sleeping soundly. But, she rolled to him again and again. There was no other way but to relieve the heat, but he did not want to disturb her sleep. The next best thing he could do was leave some marks on her body. He could not afford to take a cold shower and get sick.

Zenia was already used to sleeping next to Vaughn and knew that no harm would befall her. Vaughn could not remember when she started to let her guard down whenever she was with him in their bedroom. It was a good thing for him though – he was able to carry out his plan.

The door opened and Zenia came in. She was wearing her usual dress, not a turtle neck, and no scarf to cover her neck. Vaughn stood up to greet her and was surprised to see that the marks had gone. Rosalie did a great job concealing the marks with make-up.

Rosalie was truly a capable maid. It was not the first or second time that something like that had happened. She had always felt uncomfortable seeing Zenia dressed so warmly whenever she had love bites. She studied real hard to get the right tone of concealer for Zenia.

He kissed her and whispered teasingly, “Where are my marks? Did you use magic to make them disappear?”

She whispered back, “You’re not going to sleep on my bed tonight, you wolf!”

Vaughn chuckled and held her hand as he led her to the dungeon where Azer was detained. Redivo followed behind and could swear that something definitely changed in Vaughn.

‘Is that the effect of being married?’

For the first time, Redivo thought seriously whether he should also find himself a wife.